Blogger Spotlight: Jaki Jellz

This week, we have Jaki from Jaki Jellz taking part in the Blogger Spotlight interview.

If you would like to take part, and your blog is under six months old, or has been re-launched in the last six months, please email me randommusings29@gmail.com

1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Jaki and I am a thirtysomething (35, but let’s not dwell on that) mummy to one gorgeous three, almost four-year-old little boy. I’m also a wife, sister, daughter and friend. I work part time for a family solicitors and the rest of my time is taken up looking after my family, writing and more recently website design, all whilst currently completing a diploma in social media management. Phew!

2 What is your blog’s name and what is it about?

I’m not sure what came first, the blog name or the Twitter handle…! I’ve a feeling it was my Twitter name first. Jaki is obviously my name and Jellz is a take on my surname (Jelley – not quite got the same ring to it!!) I put the two together for a Twitter name and at the same time my blog name was born. I like It because it is me. Completely and utterly no matter what stage my life will be at. And so I see it staying with me for the indefinite future.

3 Why did you decide to start a blog?

I began my blog back in April 2013 when I was a new mummy – probably much like many of your readers. Sadly, I didn’t stick to it and I have been revisiting and leaving it with not a lot of consistency since then, until April this year, when I’ve really had the drive to stick with it. I started the blog to have an outlet. I was at home with a baby with limited adult interaction. I’d gone from being in a full time job talking to people all day to just being ‘Mum’. I missed having something for me and I loved to write, and so my blog was born. The rest, as they say, is history!

4 Do you have any goals for your blog?

Originally, I didn’t. But I think you’re only human if you want your views to increase over time. I’ve also started to work with more companies and other bloggers. I’ll be happy with a steady increase. Anything extra such as money etc. will be an added bonus!

5 Tell us one random fact about you

My life could have taken a totally different path if I had accepted a job I applied for sixteen years ago. I was destined for the big smoke and had a job offer down in London in the bag. I was all set to move but changed my mind at the last minute. Opting to stay in my familiar rural surroundings of Stratford on Avon. I often wonder what would have happened if I had gone for it. Where I’d be now and what I’d be doing, but I wouldn’t change the way things have worked out for the world. I love my boys, my family, my home and my work.

6 What is the best piece of blog related advice you have received so far?

Network, network, network!! If I had known this way back when my blog was born, I would probably have stuck it out! I wasn’t at all clued up on this side of things and couldn’t work out why my blogs weren’t getting the views I thought they deserved. This is always the first thing I tell new bloggers when I’m asked for advice.

7 What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The satisfaction of having posts scheduled up for me is a great feeling. Seeing them up there with lovely comments gives me a great sense of achievement. But overall I love the community. I feel like I have a big group of friends in my computer and in my phone. And they will always be willing to help if I need it.

8 Is there anything you would do differently if you were starting over knowing what you know now?

I would research it more first. Look into how to create a successful blog. I would also start off self-hosted – I enjoy it so much more having the freedom to make my site exactly what I want it to be. Having said this, the blogging journey I am on has been a learning curve and it’s kind of nice to know that I have developed it all by myself in my own way.

9 Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I host regular guest posts on my blog so if anyone is interested, please do drop me an email at jaki@jakijellz.com and we can talk about it! I’d love to have you!

10 Where can we find you? (blog link and links to any social media)

Find me at the following:

Blog: www.jakijellz.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jakijellz

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jakijellzablog

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jakijellz

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jakijellz

Bloglovin: www.bloglovin.com/jakijellz